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Division A - Scope, Use of Standards, and Guarantee

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Part 3 - Guarantee

Section 3.1. RoofStar Guarantee Program

3.1.1. Purpose of RoofStar Guarantee

3.1.1.1. Repair or Replacement Coverage for Materials and Workmanship

1. The RoofStar Guarantee Program provides depreciation-free leak repair coverage for waterproofing and water-shedding systems , for five, ten or fifteen years (the Guarantee Period), up to the limits (Contract Value) stated on the Guarantee Certificate, subject to the conditions and limitations stated in this Part and on the Guarantee certificate .
2. The RoofStar Guarantee Program provides depreciation-free leak repair coverage, and limited coverage for the repair or replacement of vegetation, for vegetated (“green”) roof assemblies, up to the limits (Contract Value) stated on the Guarantee Certificate, subject to the conditions and limitations stated in this Part and on the Guarantee certificate.

3.1.2. Framework of RoofStar Guarantee

3.1.2.1. Overview

1. The reach of a RoofStar Guarantee is made possible through a rigorous Quality Assurance and Quality Control program for all roofing, grade-level waterproofing, and vegetated roof assembly projects that (a) specify the Guarantee and (b) are constructed by RCABC contractor Members to meet the material and construction requirements of the Program. The RoofStar Guarantee Program is comprised of five principal requirements that make it successful and an internationally recognized model of how to control and ensure quality.

3.1.2.2. Independent Field Reviews

1. Highly qualified, fully independent professional roof Observers who know and understand our RoofStar Guarantee Standards provide regular course-of-construction reviews to ensure each project is built with Accepted Materials, by qualified personnel, according to RoofStar Guarantee Standards.
2. Observers review the performance of the project after the first two years, and again during subsequent years (applicable to the 10 and 15-Year Guarantees) and provide the Owner with reports that detail the project condition and identify maintenance or repair needs, so that Owners can look after their investments.

3.1.2.3. Published Guarantee Standards

1. Clear, objective, evidence-based Standards guide the design, material selection, and construction of a project intended to qualify for a RoofStar Guarantee.
2. All Standards are published in the Roofing Practices Manual, which also lists currently accepted materials that qualify for a RoofStar Guarantee.

3.1.2.4. Technically Qualified Installers

1. A waterproofing roof, Architectural Sheet Metal (ASM) roof, or a waterproofing project at grade, intended to qualify for a RoofStar Guarantee , must be supervised and directed by Active Member employees who are recognized nationally with a Red Seal certificate for their expertise; RCABC policy limits supervisor-to-apprentice and/or labourer ratios, to ensure quality installation from beginning to end .
2. Vegetated roofs may qualify for a RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee if they are constructed by qualified installers who meet the criteria established in the “RGC Standard for Vegetated Roof Assemblies”.

3.1.2.5. Membership

1. RCABC Member Contractors commit themselves to provide the best workmanship in the industry, and that commitment is underwritten by demonstrable financial stability, a history of excellence, COR certification (for the best safety on the job), ethical standards, and surety bonds held by the RGC.

3.1.2.6. Accepted Materials

1. A RoofStar-guaranteed project is built with only pre-qualified, proven materials accepted by the RGC.
2. All Primary Materials are backed by a material bond presented to the RGC by each RCABC manufacturing member (Ref. Div. A, Article 1.1.2.1.(4) concerning material acceptance).
3. Only accepted materials are listed in the Manual; materials that are not listed do not qualify for a RoofStar Guarantee.

Section 3.2. Coverage

3.2.1. Terms and Limitations of Coverage

3.2.1.1. Guarantee Terms and Coverage

1. A RoofStar Guarantee is available for five (5), ten (10) or fifteen (15) year terms for roofs or waterproofing at grade, for commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-unit residential, family, stratified, and residential buildings and, subject to the conditions and limitations stated below and on the Guarantee Certificate, promises to repair leaks resulting from
   1. a failure of new materials purchased, supplied, and installed by the Contractor and listed in Division C of the Roofing Practices Manual, inclusive of roof-related linear metal flashings, or
   2. the improper or deficient installation of new materials.
2. The RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee is offered jointly with the vegetated roof system manufacturer for two (2) years; it is available only when the supporting roof assembly is concurrently covered by a RoofStar Guarantee and, subject to the conditions and limitations stated below and on the Guarantee Certificate, promises to
   1. arrange to repair the vegetated roof system if the installed system materials do not protect the supporting roof assembly from plant root damage, or if they fail to adequately drain water out of the system, or improper or deficient installation of new materials, and
   2. arrange to repair/restore the vegetation of an extensive vegetated roof system if the vegetation fails to provide at least eighty (80) percent surface coverage by the end of the Guarantee Period.
3. Requirements for all Guarantee terms are summarized in Part 1, subsection 1.1.2. of the roof system Standards, which can be found in Division B of the RPM.

3.2.1.2. Limitations and Exclusions of Guarantee

1. Every RoofStar Guarantee, including a RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee, is governed by the conditions and limitations on the Guarantee Certificate.
2. Notwithstanding the specific causes of leaks named on the Guarantee Certificate, a RoofStar Guarantee does not cover leaks resulting from
   1. overloading from overburden, amenities, or equipment,
   2. wrinkling, buckling, or movement of a primary material, even if it is caused by movement of other components in a roof assembly,
   3. water entry from other building components (walls, skylights, etc.),
   4. the failure of a drain or flashing supplied or installed by anyone other than the Contractor,
   5. neglected maintenance of the project,
   6. building air leakage, or the use or absence of air or vapour controls,
   7. modifications to the project made by anyone other than the Contractor, or
   8. changes in building use or occupancy.
3. Neither a RoofStar Guarantee or a RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee will cover
   1. improper or faulty design,
   2. damage, howsoever caused,
   3. the quality, installation, or performance of the supporting deck,
   4. drain leaders, which are not considered part of the roof system,
   5. replacement (new for old) of any overburden, except where covered by a RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee,
   6. a sacrificial third ply or a coating, used as a walkway or warning zone, which is not considered part of the roof system,
   7. the cost to maintain the roof or its related systems,
   8. redistributing, relocating, or replacing ballast or any overburden displaced by wind or any other force, howsoever caused,
   9. thermal loss, howsoever caused.
   10. a failure to select vegetation properly suited for the building location,
   11. irrigation or other services, including, without limitation, electrical and gas services (and the costs to remove and reinstall them),,
   12. modifications to the vegetated roof system made by anyone other than a Qualified Green Roof Installer
   13. acts of God, including the effects of weather (e.g., hail, lightning, windstorm, temperature, or precipitation), climate change, or global warming,
   14. reflected light or reflected heat,
   15. root damage caused by plants with aggressive root habits, or root damage by plants not installed in accordance with the “RGC Standard for Vegetated Roofs”, regardless of measures taken to protect the roof membrane,
   16. overwatering or underwatering,
   17. any failure of the vegetated roof system to achieve stormwater detention or retention metrics, whether or howsoever those metrics are required, specified, promised, or published,
   18. death or delayed growth of plants due to planting or seeding schedules specified by the vegetated roof system manufacturer or the design professional,
   19. any failure of the vegetated roof system, inclusive of the vegetation, caused by or attributed to the absence of maintenance or to improper maintenance of the vegetated roof assembly,
   20. maintenance of the design aesthetic of the vegetated roof system,
   21. any act or omission by the qualified green roof installer, except as provided for in the "RGC Standard for Vegetated Roofs",
   22. the failure of any electrically or electronically operated flow control drain, no matter how it is caused, and any leak arising from such a failure, and
   23. any impact on the vegetated roof system by future changes to the building, the building occupancy, building use, or nearby development (e.g., shading from new, higher buildings).
4. To facilitate leak investigation and repairs on any roof (other than roofs covered by a RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee), the RoofStar Guarantee will pay the Contractor for the removal and reinstallation of an overburden but only when the overburden was installed by the Contractor, it is confined to a single, physically defined project areas (no maximum size), and the overburden conforms to the following limitations:
   1. The overburden is unitized (i.e., pavers on pedestals), where each unit does not exceed 1 M2 or 90 Kg (200 lb.),
   2. The overburden is loose gravel (including its associated drainage or protection material materials), and the gravel is less than 150 mm (6”) deep, or
   3. The overburden is comprised of structures, furnishings, or planters, but only when they are easily detachable and removable, their detachment and removal does not require the services of a specialized trade (i.e., photovoltaic panels that require the services of an electrician ), and each item that must be removed is no heavier than 90 Kg (200 lb).
5. To facilitate leak investigation and repairs on a roof covered by a RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee, the RoofStar Guarantee will pay to remove and reinstate an extensive vegetated roof system overburden supplied by the vegetated roof system manufacturer, irrespective of the system depth, but only when the vegetated roof system manufacturer is also the manufacturer of the membrane roof system or when the vegetated roof system manufacturer who is an Affiliate Member of the RCABC covers overburden in their own warranty.
   
   In addition to the foregoing limitations and exclusions, the following conditions apply to every project.
   
   
6. Only new materials are permitted in a roof covered by a RoofStar Guarantee; the reuse of existing materials on a project, except as otherwise permitted in a Standard, may void a RoofStar Guarantee.
7. All materials or products used in the construction of a roof system and supplied by anyone other than an Associate Member of the RCABC, or which are installed by someone other than the Contractor, will be excluded from coverage under the Guarantee and may void the Guarantee entirely.
8. All materials or systems used in the construction of a vegetated roof system that are supplied by anyone other than a vegetated roof system manufacturer, or that are installed by anyone other than a qualified green roof installer (each as defined in the “RGC Standard for Vegetated Roofs”), will be excluded from coverage under the Guarantee and may void the Guarantee entirely.
9. The supply and installation of any soil or growing media other than the specified growing media for an RGC-accepted vegetated roof system is prohibited and will void coverage under the RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee.
10. An Integrity Scan of the membrane on a waterproofing roof or grade-level waterproofing assembly
    1. is required before anyone other than the Contractor installs overburdens, amenities, or equipment, on the completed waterproofing system ,
    2. is required on all waterproofing systems when overburdens, amenities, or equipment are or will be installed on the completed waterproofing system by the Contractor, but only when
       1. the total project area (footprint), inclusive of planters or other waterproofed features, exceeds 18.58 m2 (200 sf), and
       2. the overburdens, amenities, or equipment exceed 150 mm (6”) in depth, and
    3. is not required when
       1. the Contractor installs overburden, amenities, or equipment equal to or less than 150 mm (6”) in depth,
       2. a qualified green roof installer installs a vegetated roof system with an overall depth equal to or less than 152.4 mm (6”), or
       3. the total project area (footprint), inclusive of structural planters or other waterproofed features, is less than 18.58 m2 (200 sf), but the Contractor must nevertheless protect all membrane-covered surfaces (including walls and parapets) with RoofStar-accepted protection materials immediately after the membrane is installed.

       See Figure 3.2.1.2.-A for further reference.

11. An Integrity scan must be performed by an RGC-recognized service provider listed in this Manual.
    
    

    Figure 3.2.1.2. Forming Part of Article 1.1.3.3. (Click to expand illustration)

12. Electronic Leak Detection is
    1. optional for waterproofing roofs and vegetated roof assemblies, and
    2. required for waterproofing at grade (i.e., podium or plaza decks) .
13. The Guarantor must be notified in writing of any modifications or repairs to a project covered by a RoofStar Guarantee, and when modifications or repairs are made, they must be
    1. made by a Contractor, following the requirements in the Standard governing the guaranteed system , and
    2. inspected by an RGC-accepted Observer.
14. The building Owner must ensure that the project and its components are properly maintained.

3.2.2. Quality Assurance

3.2.2.1. Overview

1. Project observations are required as part of the RoofStar Guarantee Program, and these must be conducted by an Observer who is a firm or person paid by the building Owner (directly, or through the RGC), who is independent (not a Member) of the RCABC, and who is accepted by the RGC to provide Quality Assurance reviews during construction and after completion of the project, according to the terms and conditions set out in RCABC policy .

3.2.2.2. Roof Assembly Construction

1. Every waterproofing or water-shedding project that is designed and constructed to qualify for a RoofStar Guarantee shall include the following work performed by an Observer:
   1. A First Observation that includes comments on the suitability of the supporting deck surface .
   2. Regular observations during construction of the project, performed on a daily basis when possible or as otherwise stipulated by the RoofStar Fee Calculator; these observations ensure that the design, materials, and application practices conform to the requirements in the governing RGC Standard, and that installed materials are listed in Division C of the Manual .
   3. A Final Observation once the work has been completed by the Contractor.
   4. Written reports that reflect observations and communication during the course of construction, inclusive of recommendations to the Contractor and to the Guarantor .
   5. A Performance Review conducted at the 2-year anniversary of the project completion date, presented in writing jointly to the building Owner and the Guarantor , and
   6. Subsequent Performance Reviews (for the 10-year RoofStar Guarantee only), conducted at the 5-year and 8-year anniversaries of the project completion date, presented in writing jointly to the building owner and the Guarantor .

3.2.2.3. Vegetated Roof Assemblies

1. Every roof that is designed and constructed to qualify for a RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee shall include the following work performed by an Observer :
   1. A First review and report ,
   2. An observation and report to document the sampling of growing media ,
   3. A Final Observation once construction of the vegetated roof system is completed , and
   4. A Performance review one year after completion of the vegetated roof assembly .

3.2.2.4. Compliance and Performance Reviews

1. Every RoofStar Guarantee is issued jointly by the Member Contractor and the RCABC Guarantee Corporation (RGC) , once the project has been completed and any significant deficiencies have been addressed by the Contractor.
2. The Guarantee Period commences on the date of the Final Project Review, and expires on the two, five, ten, or fifteen -year anniversary of the Guarantee, subject to the Guarantee Period purchased by the Owner .
3. During the first two years of the Guarantee Period, the Contractor is directly responsible for any claims.
4. Once the two-year Performance Review has been completed, and any outstanding deficiencies have been satisfactorily rectified by the Contractor, the Guarantor assumes responsibility for the remainder of the Guarantee Period.
5. Each ten-year (10) and fifteen-year (15) RoofStar Guarantee also includes independent Performance Reviews at specific intervals:
   1. RoofStar 10-Year Guarantee - Performance Reviews at the five (5) and eight (8) year anniversaries of the Guarantee.
   2. RoofStar 15-Year Guarantee - Performance Reviews at the five (5) year, eight (8) year and twelve (12) year anniversaries of the Guarantee.
6. Each RoofStar Vegetated Roof Guarantee includes one performance review after the first year following the Final Project Review .
7. Performance Reviews are covered by the total cost of the Guarantee; reports from the project Observer provide owners with a detailed portrait of the project, and recommendations for any outstanding maintenance.

3.2.2.4. Claims

1. Should a leak occur for which an Owner wishes to file a claim , the RoofStar Guarantee Program claims process is simple and responsive, to get repairs done quickly and efficiently, anywhere in British Columbia.

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